Afro Caribbean Youth Awards: Celebrating Leadership, Culture, and Community

On Saturday, October 24th, 2026, the recognition and celebration of Afro Caribbean youth living in Grey and Bruce Counties took centre stage at the fourth annual Afro Caribbean Youth Awards.

Bruce Power Leadership Award: (C) Karen Smith, Bruce Power, Toni Okanlawon and Inioluwa Osinowo,

Held at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine, the event featured several speakers including Maya Marcus and Megan Roopnarine, co-founders of The Why Not Agency, who emphasize diverse storytelling and equity in Canada, as well as uplifting racialized groups and empowering women.

Keynote speakers Maya and Megan from                             The Why Not Agency

Pastor Wonder Chimvinga of Pine River United Church once again opened the evening with warm greetings and a unifying message that we are all one people.

Andrea Clarke, former Deputy Mayor of Municipality of Kincardine, now Deputy Judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, also spoke at the event about celebrating the different cultures within the Afro Caribbean community and the importance of providing a nurturing environment for youth to grow with the support from the whole community. She also emphasized the need for a foundation grounded in love and grace to build an inclusive community, urging us to reject sentiments that divide as opposed to unite us.

Emcees for the evening were four youths – Agape Chimvinga, Joshua Clarke-Grant, Ronan Harvey, and Jerryl Hibbert. Together, they presented awards to the following young community members in recognition and celebration of their achievements:

Recipients aged 5 to 13:

5-13 year old winners
  • Isabella Eniola Ayuba
  • Isaac Clarke-Grant
  • Isaiah Clarke-Grant
  • Joshua Clarke-Grant
  • Malachi Davies
  • Tyrion Grozelle
  • Avi Harvey
  • Ronan Harvey
  • David Ofenor
  • Joel Ofenor
  • Oluwatoni (Toni) Okanlawon
  • Esther Olufemi
  • Abigail Opiyo
  • Neema Opiyo
  • Paul Jr Opiyo
  • Anuoluwa Osinowo
  • Tai Rantz
  • Kaleo Watson-Griffith
  • Kaylan Watson-Griffith

Recipients aged 14 to 18:

  • Oyinkansola Adeniji
  • Gabriel Hunte
  • Liam Morin
  • Tireniyioluwa (Tireni) Okanlawon
  • Tumi Okanlawon
  • Inioluwa Osinowo
  • Tijuaghn Ranger
  • Kyle Symister

Recipients aged 19 to 25:

  • Serena Hunter
  • Chelby Morris